Adjustable and closeable air diffuser

ABSTRACT

An air diffuser to be connected in a hot or cold air distribution system and including a vaned upper section to be connected with a supply duct and a vaned lower section telescopically and adjustably connected with the upper section for distributing the air in a room, Baffle plates are insertable between the outer ends of adjacent vanes on the lower section for blocking or proportioning air flow. A single knob member regulates the volume of air flow and can be manipulated to shut off all air flow.

United States Patent [191 Skoch Oct. 16, 1973 ADJUSTABLE AND CLOSEABLE AIR DIFFUSER [76] Inventor: Edward L. Skoch, 28 Terrehans La,

r Syosset, N.Y. 11791 [22] Filed: Apr. 5, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 131,170

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1969 Hunter .L 239/601 X 5/1957 Phillips et al 98/40 B 2/1956 Tutt et a1. 98/40 B FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,254,494 1/ 1960 France 98/40 B Primary Examiner-William E. Wayner Att0rneyBacon & Thomas [57] ABSTRACT An air diffuser to be connected in a hot or cold air distribution system and including a vaned upper section to be connected with a supply duct and a vaned lower section telescopically and adjustably connected with the upper section for distributing the air in a room, Baffle plates are insertable between the outer ends of I adjacent vanes on the lower section for blocking or proportioning air flow. A single knob member regulates the volume of air flow and can be manipulated to shut off all air flow.

18 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures 1 ADJUSTABLE AND CLOSEABLE AIR DIFFUSER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an air diffuser for distributing hot or cold air in a room or the like, in any desired volume and in any desired lateral pattern of flow.

2. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Air diffusers for use with hot or cold air distribution systems are well known in the art. One of the problems encountered with such prior air diffusers is that many units are designed to provide only a given volume of air flow in a fixed pattern, without provision for adjustment of either the volume or pattern. Others, more versatile, provide for varying the volume of air flow as well as the air pattern. The latter, however, are usually complicated structures, have many parts, some must be partially disassembled to adjust plates or to bend vanes to vary the volume and pattern of air flow,.are incapable of being accurately adjusted to meet the requirements of a range of different environmental conditions, and cannot be completely shut off when the air system is not in operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes all of the foregoing objections, in that it provides a basic design of air diffusers that is adjustable to service a substantial range of environmental requirements, has a minimum number of parts, and can be initially assembled and readily adjusted to provide any desired volume of air flow inany desired flow pattern.

More specifically, the present diffuser comprises a vaned upper section having a side wall to be connected with a duct outlet via a transition section, and a vaned lower section telescopically and adjustably connected with said upper section. The upper section comprises a central core and vanes extending radially therefrom to the side walls. An outwardly extending flange is formed at the lower edge of the side walls. The central core is tubular and has an internally threaded bushing mounted therein to receive a threaded adjusting screw.

The lower section comprises a flat, horizontal diffuser plate with a central boss and radially disposed vanes extending from the boss and terminating in an enlarged portion forming a vertical guide post, each post having grooves, and extending above its associated vane. Baffle plates are optionally mountable between adjacent posts to block or proportion the volume of air flow. Each of the baffles is scored horizontally so that strips thereof can be readily broken off to decrease the height thereof. Each baffle has a leg extending vertically at its opposite ends so thatthe baffle can be mounted in the grooves of the guides in an inverted position to allow full air flow. Alternatively, the baffles can be cut from strip material of a desired width, to the required length.

The inner edges of the vanes on the lower section above the boss terminate at a point such as to permit the core of the upper section to be received therebetween. The boss on the diffuser plate has a plain interior which is sized to receive the lower end of the adjusting screw. The lower end of the screw has flats formed thereon that are received in a correspondingly shaped socket formed in a square knob or adjusting member attached to the adjusting screw by a countersunk belt. The lower section can be adjusted vertically relatively to the upper section by turning the knob or adjusting member a desired amount, to thereby control the volume of air that is discharged through the diffuser assembly, or to shut off all air flow. The diffuser sections can be made round, square, etc., but in any event are capable of satisfying a wide range of demands, thus rendering the number of different stock models required to meet commercial requirements.

Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a basic design for an air diffuser that will enable the same to be used in any environment.

Another object is to provide an air diffuser that can be easily installed and readily assembled to obstruct, or to provide any desired volume of air flow in any lateral direction.

Still another object is to provide an air diffuser that can be mounted in any desired area of a ceiling, that is, in the center of the ceiling, in a corner or adjacent to a side wall of a room, lobby, etc., and can be readily initially set up to apportion and direct the air flow.

A further object is to provide an air diffuser, the principal components of which can be inexpensively and readily made of strong and non-corrodable material, such as, polyethylene plastic, although any other suitable material can be used.

Still another object is to provide an air diffuser that can be adjusted, after installation, to vary the volume of air flow by turning a single screw, without disassembling any of the parts thereof.

A still further object is to provide an air diffuser that can be completely closed, and which will prevent all air leakage when in its shut off position.

Still another object is to provide an air diffuser having an adjustable section that will lie substantially flush with the ceiling when shut off, so that it is inconspicuous.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of the present diffuser mounted in a ceiling between joists and connected with an air supply duct.

FIG. 2 is a staggered sectional view, taken on the line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and particularly illustrating the manner in which the baffle plates are mounted in the guide posts on the lower diffuser section.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the diffuser, taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2, particularly illustrating the meansfor mounting the upper diffuser section on the transition section, and the telescopic mounting of the lower diffuser section in the upper diffuser section.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the single adjusting screw, for adjusting the lower section relative to the upper diffuser section, taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through the threaded bushing mounted in the lower end of the core of the upper diffuser section, taken on the Line 5--5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view, taken on the line 66 of FIG. 4, and illustrating the extended lower end of the adjusting screw seated in the adjusting member.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view through one of the guide posts located at the outer end of the radial vanes of the lower diffuser section, taken on the line 7-7 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the baffles for blocking or varying the volume of air that can be discharged between a pair of the vanes of the lower diffuser section.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8, but showing the baffle in an inverted position.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the components of a circular type of air diffuser, embodying the principles of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, the present diffuser is generally identified by the numeral 2 and includes an upper diffuser section 4 and a lower diffuser section 6. The upper section 4 is illustrated as square in configuration and as having four vertical side walls 8, each of which has an elongated slot 10 at the mid-portion thereof adjacent its upper edge 12. A horizontal flange 14 extends outwardly from the lower edge of the side walls 8 and is shown secured by nails 16 or a screw to a wall board ceiling 18, the latter being relatively soft and compressible, so that the lower face of the flange 14 is substantially flush with the adjacent portions of the wallboard 18. A rubber gasket 20 of a shape complementary to that of the flange 14 is cemented in place on the lower face of the flange 14.

The upper diffuser section 4 is connected to a circular air supply duct 22 by a transition section 24 that is circular at its upper end 26 to conform with the duct 22, and is square at its lower end to conform with the shape of the side walls 8. The upper end of the transition section 24 can be made in different sizes to accomodate ducts of different size. The duct 22 is secured to the upper end 26 of the transition section 24 by tape 28, and the lower end of the transition section 24 is secured to the upper diffuser section by pins 30 that project into the elongated slots 10. The side walls 8 can flex slightly outwardly so that entry of the pins 30 into the slots presents no problem in assembly. The duct 22, the transition section 24 and the diffuser 2 are shown installed between joists 31.

The side walls 8 and the flange 14 of the upper diffuser section 4 are made of plastic material and formed in one piece by injection molding. In addition to the side walls 8 and the flange 14, the section 4 includes a centrally located tubular metal or plastic core 32 and four radial plastic vanes 34 extending from the core 32 to the juncture of the adjacent side walls 8. The vanes 34 are cemented at their ends to the core 32 and to the side walls 8. The lower end of the transition section 24 fits snugly within the side walls 8 and this is permitted by the notches 35, FIG. 3, formed at the corners of the transition section so as to straddle the vanes 34.

An internally threaded bushing 36 is welded in the lower end of the core 32 to receive an adjusting screw 38 having an enlarged head 40 at its upper end. As is best shown in FIG. 4, the adjusting screw 38 has a plain lower extension 42 provided with four flat areas 44 that are received in a complementary socket 46 formed in the upper side of a square knob or adjusting member 48. A countersunk screw 50 extends through the knob 48 and into a threaded bore 52 in the lower end of the extension 42 and secures the knob 48 to the extension 42 in non-rotating relation. The knob 48 has a cylindrical ridge 54 (FIG. 6) provided for a purpose explained later.

The lower diffuser section 6 is also molded from plastic material and comprises a horizontal diffuser plate 56 having a shallow depression 58 providing an upstanding molding 60 extending around the entire margin thereof. A central boss 62 is formed on the upper side of the diffuser plate 56 and forms the hub for a set of four radial vanes 64, each of which terminates at its outer end and an enlarged portion to form a vertical guide post 66. Each guide post 66 has outer side surfaces 68 at right angles to each other to conform to the inside corner configuration of the side walls 8 of the upper diffuser section 4. The guide posts 66 serve to maintain the lower diffusing section 6 in alignment with the upper diffuser section 4, as the adjusting knob 48 is rotated to turn the screw 38 in the bushing 36 to raise or lower the section 6 relative to the section 4.

Each of the guide posts 66 has a vertical groove 70 formed therein adjacent the outer side surfaces 68 thereof for the reception of one end of a removable baffle 72. As is best shown in FIG. 2, the baffles 72 can be mounted in the groove 70 of adjacent guides 66.

The construction of the baffle 72 is best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, from which it will be noted that each baffle includes a flat portion 74 and legs 76 projecting vertically from the opposite ends thereof. The vertical height of the flat portion 74 is equal to about one-half the vertical height of the guide posts 66, as will be seen from FIG. 3. The flat portion 74 of the baffle 72 has score lines 78 formed on one or both sides thereof and spaced at 5 1 inch intervals. The score lines 78 enable the vertical height of the flat portion 74 of the baffles 72 to be varied by breaking or cutting off portions thereof along a selected score line 78 to thus vary the volume of air that can be discharged between adjacent vanes 64 and through the space between the upper edge of the baffle 72 and the lower edge of the side walls 8 of the upper diffuser section 4.

If the desired volume of air flow in a given direction is such that full flow capacity is desired, then the baffle 72 controlling air flow in that direction can be omitted, or alternatively, be mounted between the vanes 64 in an inverted position so that the legs 76 hold the flat portion 74 of the baffle 72 at a height such that air flow is substantially unrestricted. On the other hand, if flow between a given pair of vanes 64 is to be totally blocked, then the baffle 72 is inserted in confronting grooves 70 without removal of any part of the flat portion 74 of the baffle. The baffle 72 illustrated at the left end of FIG. 3 is so mounted. On the other hand, the baffle 72 at the right end of FIG. 3 is shown as having had a part of the flat portion 74 removed to reduce its height (See FIG. 8), so that a controlled volume of air can flow through the space between the upper edge of the baffle and the lower end of the corresponding side wall 8 of the upper diffuser section 4.

It will be understood from FIG. 3, that, as the adjusting knob 48 is rotated to move the lower diffuser section 6 upwardly, the lower portion of the core 32 will be received between the inner ends of the vanes 64. As the knob 48 is rotated, the ridge 54 will contact the lower side of the diffuser plate 56 and prevent visible marring of the plate by the knob. It will be understood that the lower diffuser section 6 can be adjusted from the full line position in which it is shown, to the dotand-dash line position wherein the diffuser is completely closed. When in such dot-and-dash line position, the upper surface of the diffuser plate 56 will engage the gasket 20 and provide an air-tight seal between the two diffuser sections 4 and 6, thereby avoiding moisture condensation at the diffuser and preventing air flow that might otherwise occur and cause whistling noises. The ridge 60 at the margin of the diffuser plate 56 has a height equal to about the thickness of the gasket 20 and forms a closure that eliminates a gap between the diffuser plate 56 and the ceiling 18, thus providing a neat appearance.

The diffuser assembly 2, as described above, comprises a minimum number of parts consisting of an upper diffuser section 4 and a gasket 20, which are permanently mounted in place; the lower diffuser section 6; the assembly of the adjusting screw 38 and the knob 48; and a maximum of four baffle plates 72. The volume and rate of air flow can be varied simply by adjusting a single member, namely, the knob 48 to raise and lower the diffuser section 6, to vary the height of the passage above the baffles 72 as desired. All air flow in a given direction can be completely blocket by appropriate mounting of a baffle 72, or a maximum volume of air flow in a given direction can be attained by omitting or inverting the baffle 72, or a proportionate volume of air flow in a given direction can be attained by inserting a baffle 72 of a corresponding height.

Referring to FIG. 10, a modified air diffuser 2A is shown wherein the upper section 4A and the lower section 6A are made circular instead of square. The upper section 4A has a continuous side wall 8A and a plurality of circumferentially spaced elongated slots 10A, corresponding to the slots 10' previously described. A circular horizontal flange 14A extends outwardly from the lower edge of the side wall 8A. The flange 14A can be secured to a ceiling in the same manner as the flange 14. An annular rubber gasket (not shown) is applied to the flange 14A to function in the same manner as the rubber gasket 20. It will be understood that the upper diffuser 4A is connected to a transition section that is circular at its lower end to conform with theshape of the side wall 8A. The diameter of the upper end of the transition section can be varied to suit the size of the duct to which it is to be connected.

The upper diffuser section 4A includes a core 32A, radial vanes 34A, a bushing 36A, and an adjusting screw 38A, and an adjusting knob 48A, similar to the structure described in connection with FIG. 3.

The lower diffuser section comprises a circular diffuser plate 56A having a marginal ridge 60A, a hollow central boss 62A, and radial vanes 64Aextending from the boss 62A and terminating in vertical guide posts 66A, which serve to guide the lower transition section 6A during'vertical adjustment thereof relative to the upper diffuser section 4A. One or more sets of ribs 67 are provided on the side wall 8A and cooperate with the guide posts 66A to prevent relative rotation of the sections 4A and 6A.

The guide posts 66A have grooves 70A on opposite sides thereof to receive baffle plates 72A. Thebaffle plates 72A are bent to an arcuate shape, instead of being straight. The baffle plate 72A may have legs corresponding to the legs 76, but such legs have been omitted so that the baffle plates 72A can be cut to the desired length from a roll or long strip of material (not shown) to fit diffusers of different size. The roll or strips of material can be of different widths to provide baffles of different vertical heights, as shown by way of example, to meet the specifications for any given installation.

The diffuser sections 4A and 6A are molded from a suitable plastic material by injection molding, as described in connection with the diffuser sections 4 and 6. The lower section 6A can be adjusted vertically within the upper section 4A by turning the knob 48A, in the same manner described in connection with the adjustment and closing of the diffuser assembly 2.

It will be understood that the upper diffuser sections 4 and 4A and the lower diffuser sections 6 and 6A may be a one-piece molded unit of plastic or any other suitable material, thereby eliminating any cementing or welding in the manufacture of the same.

It will be further understood that various changes can be made in the proportions and design of the air diffusers disclosed herein without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope of the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. An air diffuser comprising: an upper diffuser section open at both ends for axial air flow therethrough and having an upright side wall and radial vanes connected with said side wall; a lower diffuser section telescoped therewith for vertical movement relative to said side wall, said lower diffuser section having means vertically aligned with said vanes for directing the flow of air for discharge in one or more directions, and also having baffle means between said vertically aligned means for proportioning the volume of air to be discharged in said one or more directions; and means between said diffuser sections for vertically adjusting said lower section relative to said upper section.

2. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein vertical guide means is carried by one of the sections for guiding relative vertical movement of the sections. I

3. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate and wherein the means for proportioning the volume of air flow in said one or more directions is carried by said air diffuser plate.

4. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate and wherein the means for directing the air flow in one or more directions comprises radial vanes carried by said air diffuser plate.

5. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate; and wherein the means for directing the air flow comprises radial vanes carried by the diffuser plate; and wherein the means for proportioning the volume of air flow in said one or more directions comprises baffle plates carried by the diffuser plate.

6. An air diffuser as defined in claim 5, wherein the baffles are vertical and are disposed between the outer ends of adjacent radial vanes.

7. An air diffuser as defined in claim 6, wherein the baffle plate has vertically extending legs at the opposite ends thereof.

8. An air diffuser as defined in claim 6, wherein the baffle plate has a body with at least one longitudinal score line thereon and along which the body can be divided to reduce its transverse width.

9. An air diffuser as defined on claim 4, in which the guide means comprises vertical posts carried by the air diffuser plate.

10. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts are located at the outer end of the radial vanes.

11. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts have vertical grooves, and the baffles are mounted in said grooves.

12. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the side wall of the upper diffuser section has a prescribed geometrical configuration; and wherein the lower diffuser section is telescoped within said side wall with the guide posts spaced with slight clearance from said side wall.

13. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts are formed by enlarged portions at the outer end of the radial vanes and extend upwardly higher than the radial vanes.

14. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper diffuser section includes a central core having a threaded portion, and wherein the radial vanes thereof connect said central core with the side walls and wherein the adjusting means includes a threaded member mounted in said core and having a portion extending through the lower diffuser section; and wherein a knob is mounted upon said extended portion of said threaded member below said lower diffuser section.

15. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section comprises a horizontal air diffuser plate, a vertical hollow boss on the upper side of said plate; and wherein the means for directing air flow comprises radial vanes extending outwardly from said central boss; a vertical guide post located at the outer end of each radial vane; and wherein adjacent guide posts having confronting grooves to receive the ends of a baffle plate.

16. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein a horizontal mounting flange 14 extends outwardly from the lower edge of the upright side wall of the upper diffuser section for attachment to a ceiling.

17. An air diffuser as defined in claim 16, including a gasket disposed at the lower side of the horizontal flange, and wherein the lower diffuser section includes a diffuser plate of sufficient size to engage said gasket upon closing of the diffuser.

18. An air diffuser as defined in claim 17, wherein the diffuser plate has an upwardly extending marginal molding on its upper side for positioning in engagement with the ceiling to eliminate a gap therebetween when said diffuser plate is in its closed position. 

1. An air diffuser comprising: an upper diffuser section open at both ends for axial air flow therethrough and having an upright side wall and radial vanes connected with said side wall; a lower diffuser section telescoped therewith for vertical movement relative to said side wall, said lower diffuser section having means vertically aligned with said vanes for directing the flow of air for discharge in one or more directions, and also having baffle means between said vertically aligned means for proportioning the volume of air to be discharged in said one or more directions; and means between said diffuser sections for vertically adjusting said lower section relative to said uPper section.
 2. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein vertical guide means is carried by one of the sections for guiding relative vertical movement of the sections.
 3. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate and wherein the means for proportioning the volume of air flow in said one or more directions is carried by said air diffuser plate.
 4. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate and wherein the means for directing the air flow in one or more directions comprises radial vanes carried by said air diffuser plate.
 5. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section includes a horizontal air diffuser plate; and wherein the means for directing the air flow comprises radial vanes carried by the diffuser plate; and wherein the means for proportioning the volume of air flow in said one or more directions comprises baffle plates carried by the diffuser plate.
 6. An air diffuser as defined in claim 5, wherein the baffles are vertical and are disposed between the outer ends of adjacent radial vanes.
 7. An air diffuser as defined in claim 6, wherein the baffle plate has vertically extending legs at the opposite ends thereof.
 8. An air diffuser as defined in claim 6, wherein the baffle plate has a body with at least one longitudinal score line thereon and along which the body can be divided to reduce its transverse width.
 9. An air diffuser as defined in claim 4, in which the guide means comprises vertical posts carried by the air diffuser plate.
 10. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts are located at the outer end of the radial vanes.
 11. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts have vertical grooves, and the baffles are mounted in said grooves.
 12. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the side wall of the upper diffuser section has a prescribed geometrical configuration; and wherein the lower diffuser section is telescoped within said side wall with the guide posts spaced with slight clearance from said side wall.
 13. An air diffuser as defined in claim 9, wherein the guide posts are formed by enlarged portions at the outer end of the radial vanes and extend upwardly higher than the radial vanes.
 14. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper diffuser section includes a central core having a threaded portion, and wherein the radial vanes thereof connect said central core with the side walls and wherein the adjusting means includes a threaded member mounted in said core and having a portion extending through the lower diffuser section; and wherein a knob is mounted upon said extended portion of said threaded member below said lower diffuser section.
 15. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein the lower diffuser section comprises a horizontal air diffuser plate, a vertical hollow boss on the upper side of said plate; and wherein the means for directing air flow comprises radial vanes extending outwardly from said central boss; a vertical guide post located at the outer end of each radial vane; and wherein adjacent guide posts having confronting grooves to receive the ends of a baffle plate.
 16. An air diffuser as defined in claim 1, wherein a horizontal mounting flange 14 extends outwardly from the lower edge of the upright side wall of the upper diffuser section for attachment to a ceiling.
 17. An air diffuser as defined in claim 16, including a gasket disposed at the lower side of the horizontal flange, and wherein the lower diffuser section includes a diffuser plate of sufficient size to engage said gasket upon closing of the diffuser.
 18. An air diffuser as defined in claim 17, wherein the diffuser plate has an upwardly extending marginal molding on its upper side for positioning in engagement with the ceiling to eliminate a gap therebetween when said diffuser plate is in iTs closed position. 